Vision Night 01.13.14

Transcript

1. January  13,  2014  
2. 1.  Smaller/Shrinking  Size   2.  The  Exit  of  Young  Adults   3.  Decline  in  Giving   4.  Failure  to  Focus  on  Mission   5.  HosKlity  from  Outside   6.  Division  from  Within  
3. Inflated:    The  evangelical  church  is  smaller   than  many  of  us  have  been  told  –  accounKng   for  less  than  1  in  10  Americans.     The  Impression:    Many  have  claimed  that     1  in  3  or  even  1  in  2  Americans  are  evangelical   ChrisKans.  
4. Evangelical  ChrisKans  are  only  7%  of  the     US  populaKon,  less  than  1  in  10.     If  every  evangelical  moved  to  New  York  State,   there  would  not  be  a  single  evangelical  among   the  roughly  300  million  Americans  in  the  other   49  states.  
5. In  internaKonal  terms,  there  are  slightly  more   evangelicals  in  the  enKre  United  States  than   there  are  Muslims  in  greater  Cairo.           Evangelical  populaKon  esKmates  by  Dr.  ChrisKan  Smith,  Notre  Dame,     The  Barna  Group,  American  Church  Research  Project.  
6. The  evangelical  church  is  shrinking  because  the   majority  of  young  evangelicals  are  abandoning   the  faith.     This  shrinking  is  acceleraKng  because  the   church  is  top-­‐heavy  in  age.  
7. About  2  in  3  evangelical  young  people  walk   away  from  the  faith  by  age  30.       The  Barna  Group,  Lifeway  
8. While  its  true  that  some  evangelical  young   people  return  to  the  Church  in  their  30s,  the   majority  no  longer  do.    Those  who  return  oben   suffer  from  divorce  and  a  decade  of  lifestyle   habits  made  apart  from  Christ.         Youth  TransiKon  Network,  Lifeway  
9. The  church  is  not  making  converts  fast  enough   to  keep  pace  with  rapid  populaKon  growth.  
11. As  these  trends  weaken  the  church  internally,   the  external  culture  is  turning  hosKle  towards   followers  of  Jesus  Christ.     Many  leading  edges  of  21st  century  American   culture  are  antagonisKc  towards  evangelicals.  
12. A  study  by  Jewish  and  Community  Research   asked  1,200  college  and  university  professors  if   they  had  “unfavorable  feelings”  toward  various   religions.     3% held unfavorable feelings for Jews. 9% held unfavorable feelings for non-evangelical Christians. 22% held unfavorable feelings for Muslims. 53% held unfavorable views toward evangelical Christians.   Alan  Cooperman,  “Is  There  Disdain  for  Evangelicals  in  the  Classroom?,”  The  Washington  Post,  May  5,  2007  
13. Ages  16-­‐29   1.  ChrisKans  are  anK-­‐homosexual.  91%     2.  ChrisKans  are  judgemental.  87%   3.  ChrisKans  are  hypocriKcal.  85%  
14. “Old-­‐Fashioned”   “Too  involved  in  poli3cs”   “Out  of  touch  with  reality”   “Insensi3ve  to  Others”   “Boring”   “Not  accep3ng  of  other  faiths”   “Confusing”  
15. 9%  describe  ChrisKans   as  people  they  “trust”.  
16. SIN   Sin   Separa+on   Peace   Forgiveness   Eternal  Life   GOD   Chris+anity   and  the   Chris+an   Subculture   BUILDING  TRUST  
17. This  struggling  church  is  splihng  itself.       Different  groups  of  evangelicals  are  sharply   divided  over  how  to  respond  to  the  rapidly   changing  culture.     As  a  result,  evangelicals  are  infighKng  when   we  most  need  to  be  uniKng.  
18. Evangelicals  are  increasingly  dividing  over   poliKcs.   Republican   54%   Democrat   22%   Independent   25%  
19. This  smaller,  shrinking  church  is  on  the  verge   of  a  fuel  crisis.    The  oldest  two  generaKons   give  about  70%  of  evangelical  donaKons.  
20. DonaKons  could  decrease  by  as  much  as  70%   in  the  next  25  years  –  if  younger  generaKons   do  not  change  their  giving  habits.  
21. Percentage  of  total  donaKons  given,     by  generaKon:   46%   22%   17%   11%   4%   65+   55-­‐64   45-­‐54   35-­‐44   Under  35  
22. Somewhere  along  the  way,  many  American   ministries  became  more  dependent  on  dollars   than  on  disciples.  
23. The  false  ChrisKan  class  divide  –  professional   ChrisKan  and  supporKng  ChrisKans.    (Instead,   Scripture  says  we  are  all  called  to  be  both   ministers  and  givers.  
24. As  American  wealth  has  increased,  giving  on   the  whole  has  decreased  for  decades  –  across   all  generaKons.  
25. In  2004,  the  church  reached  its  lowest  level  of   giving  as  a  percentage  of  income  since  1961,   lower  than  the  worst  years  of  the  Great   Depression.           John  L.  Ronsvalle  and  Silvia  Ronsvalle,  The  State  of  Church  Giving  through  2004  
26. The  percentage  of  Americans  who  give  at  all,   including  Kthing  and  supporKng  evangelical   works,  conKnues  to  decline.     17%  of  ChrisKans  say  they  “Kthe”  but  only  3%   actually  give  10%  or  more  of  their  income  to   the  Lord’s  work.     Brian  Kluth,  Kingdom  Seekers  
27. SoluKon  1  ::  Hybrid  Ministry   Resurrect  the  gibs  of  the  body  by  training   faithful  non-­‐paid  disciples  to  work  in  concert   with  gibed  paid  staff.       (2  Timothy  2:2,  Romans  12:4-­‐8,  1  Timothy  5:17-­‐18)  
28. SoluKon  2  ::  ConservaKon   Avoid  high  risk  and  re-­‐focus  expenses  on   making  disciples  –  who  make  disciples.         (Manhew  28:18-­‐20)  
29. SoluKon  3  ::  PreparaKon   As  the  wealthiest  ChrisKans  in  world  history,   we  have  the  opportunity  to  create  an  eternal   legacy  through  ministry  trusts,  bequeathals   and  gibs  that  outlive  our  Kme  on  earth.     (Luke  8:3,  Ephesians  2:10,  Luke  12:21,     Manhew  25:31-­‐46)  
30. SoluKon  4  ::  Disciple   Disciple  all  generaKons  (especially  the  younger   generaKons)  into  Biblical  surrender  and   stewardship.  
31. 1.  “Hybrid  Ministry”  equips  people  for  serious   evangelism/discipleship.   2.  “ConservaKon”  avoids  debt  and  prioriKzes   on  disciple-­‐making.   3.  “PreparaKon”  challenges  mature  givers  to   invest  in  an  eternal  legacy.   4.  “Disciple”  teaches  our  younger  believers   the  joy  of  generous,  sacrificial  and   consistent  giving.  
32. EvFree  Fullerton  exists  to  develop,  empower   and  release  kingdom  people  and  kingdom   communiKes  into  missional  engagement  in   their  spheres  of  influence.    
33. Kingdom  people  are  people  who  follow  Jesus   as  disciples  and  worshippers,  who  are   increasingly  transformed  by  God’s  grace  and   Holy  Spirit  to  become  more  like  Jesus,  and   whose  hearts,  minds,  relaKonships  and   lifestyles  reflect  the  character  and  mission  of   Jesus.  “Follow  me  and  I  will  make  you  fishers   of  people.”    
34. Kingdom  communiKes  are  communiKes  defined   by  the  purposes,  prioriKes  and  presence  of   Jesus  Christ  (Manhew  28:18-­‐20):   •  to  love  God  and  love  others   •  to  make  Jesus-­‐followers  of  all  naKons   •  to  care  for  the  poor,  outcast  and  marginalized   •  to  re-­‐orient  our  lives  in  worship,  communion   and  bapKsm  
35. •  to  equip  believers  for  their  ministries  locally   and  globally   •  to  sit  under  the  authority  of  God’s  Word  as  it   is  regularly  taught   •  to  reproduce  other  thriving  kingdom   communiKes   •  to  foster  a  partnership  of  generaKons  to   fulfill  God’s  mission  in  the  world  
36. Missional  engagement  is  our  passionate   convicKon  to  pass  along  to  others  what  God   has  given  to  us;  is  our  recogniKon  that  God  is   at  work  in  the  world  and  is  looking  for   cooperaKve  parKcipants  in  His  mission;  is  our   idenKty  as  ambassadors  and  missionaries  to   our  world.  
37. Let  us  hold  unswervingly  to  the  hope  we   profess,  for  he  who  promised  is  faithful.  And   let  us  consider  how  we  may  spur  one  another   on  toward  love  and  good  deeds,  not  giving  up   mee3ng  together,  as  some  are  in  the  habit  of   doing,  but  encouraging  one  another—and  all   the  more  as  you  see  the  Day  approaching.   Hebrews  10:23-­‐25  
38. In  fulfilling  our  mission,  we  seek  to  be:   Focused  on  Mission  ::   We  believe  that  the  church  exists  to  parKcipate   in  the  mission  of  God  in  Christ  by  redempKvely   engaging  all  aspects  of  society  with  the  intent   of  proclaiming  and  demonstraKng  the  good   news  about  Jesus  Christ.  We  believe  all  of   God’s  people  are  called  to  be  ambassadors  of    
39. reconciliaKon  whatever  their  context  and  that   this  is  the  central  work  of  the  church.    We   believe  mission  is  expressed  in  both  word  and   deed,  at  home  and  at  work,  in  neighborhoods   and  across  the  world.    
40.   Centered  on  the  Kingdom  of  God  ::   The  Kingdom  of  God  (God’s  rule  and  authority   manifest  on  earth)  was  (and  is)  the  focus  of  the   work  and  teaching  of  Jesus  on  earth.  Our   purpose  as  His  community  is  to  parKcipate  with   God  in  the  advancement  and  extension  of  His   kingdom  into  the  world.  We  seek  to  serve  His  
41. movement,  not  our  own  agendas,  projects  and   organizaKons.  We  desire,  bless  and  parKcipate   in  the  movement  of  God  wherever  and   however  we  find  it.    
42.   Rooted  in  Worship  and  Scripture  ::   The  Bible  is  the  most  important  authority  for   life  and  faith.  We  believe  that  the  Bible  is  to  be   read  and  studied  for  formaKon,  not  just   informaKon.  We  seek  to  be  culturally  relevant   in  our  teaching  while  remaining  faithful  to  the   inspired  text.  We  recognize  the  centrality  of  
43. worship  in  all  we  do,  in  both  corporate  and   individual  expressions,  and  respect  the  great   diversity  of  worship  forms  present  in  God’s   kingdom.  
44.   Connected  in  Community  ::     We  believe  the  church  to  be  a  spiritual  family   where  all  are  welcome  and  loved.  We  believe   that  transformaKon  happens  best  when  people   meet  and  are  honest  and  vulnerable  with  each   other,  speaking  the  truth  to  each  other  in  love.     We  believe  the  best  expressions  of  community  
45. are  those  that  are  not  homogeneous,  but   instead  integrate  people  from  all  ethniciKes,   generaKons  and  socio-­‐economic  statuses.    We   believe  that  the  church  is  a  picture  of  the  new   humanity,    where  previous  ways  of  dividing   humanity  no  longer  apply  in  Christ.    
46.   Filled  with  Grace  and  Love  ::     We  believe  in  the  power  of  God’s  grace  to   transform  lives,  and  reject  anempts  to  legislate   the  ChrisKan  life  through  human  rules.  We   respect  differences  of  theology  and  pracKce  in   non-­‐essenKals  and  secondary  maners.  We  seek   to  deal  with  issues  redempKvely  and  allow  
47. people  to  be  in  process.  We  recognize  that  love   is  the  highest  ChrisKan  value  and  seek  to   embody  love  of  God,  neighbor,  and  enemy.  
48.   Responsive  to  the  Holy  Spirit  ::   We  believe  in  the  gibs,  power,  and  presence  of   the  Holy  Spirit  to  bring  about  the   transformaKon  of  God’s  people.  We  believe   that  God  is  the  iniKator  of  worship  and  mission.   We  believe  the  calling  of  God’s  people  is  to   parKcipate  with  God  in  His  work  in  the  world.  
49. We  seek  to  avoid  both  a  theology  of  excess  and   a  theology  of  reacKon  regarding  the  role  of  the   Holy  Spirit  today.  We  seek  the  Holy  Spirit’s   filling  and  empowering  without  dictaKng  how   that  should  occur.    
50.   Empowering  and  Developmental  ::     We  believe  that  each  person  has  a  unique   contribuKon  to  make  in  God’s  Kingdom,  and   that  the  role  of  the  church  is  to  inspire,  teach   and  empower  people  for  ministry  in  whatever   place  in  life  that  God  has  called  them.  We   oppose  anything  that  places  limits  on  the  
51. priesthood  of  all  believers  and  therefore  resist   the  professional/volunteer  (or  ‘clergy’  and   ‘laity’)  disKncKons  common  to  American  church   culture.  We  seek  to  grow  a  courageous,   generous  and  faithful  community  that   emphasizes  lifelong  learning  and  development,   the  discovery  and  pracKce  of  spiritual  gibs,  and   decentralized  ministry.    
52.    Strategic  and  Supernatural  ::   The  Church  is  both  organizaKon  and  organism;   therefore,  we  seek  to  be  pracKcal  and  wise,   while  at  the  same  Kme  expecKng  and  praying   that  God  would  move,  speak  and  lead  us  in   surprising  ways.    We  believe  in  prayer  meeKngs   and  planning  meeKngs.  We  want  to  be  spiritual   and  spirit-­‐led  while  at  the  same  Kme  being   diligent  and  strategic.  
53.   Counter-­‐cultural  and  Culturally  Engaged  ::   We  stand  against  both  cultural  withdrawal  and   cultural  accommodaKon.  We  desire  to  be   discerningly  and  selecKvely  engaged  in  culture   without  being  formed  by  its  prioriKes  and   values.  We  seek  to  be  a  propheKc  alternaKve  to   the  ideals  and  ways  of  the  world  without  
54. retreaKng  into  our  own  ChrisKan  sub-­‐cultures.     We  believe  the  church  exists  in  the  world  for   the  sake  of  the  world.  We  believe  the   incarnaKon  and  sacrifice  of  Jesus  is  our  model   for  engaging  the  world.      
55.   Sensi3ve  to  the  needs  of  the  poor  and   marginalized  ::   We  believe  we  best  embody  the  heart  of  God   to  the  world  by  serving  the  poor  and   marginalized.    We  believe  the  wealthy  need  the   poor  as  much  as  much  as  the  poor  need  the   wealthy.  We  seek  to  be  known  for  our  
56. compassion,  as  we  work  against  the  systemic   and  individual  injusKces  of  our  world,  by   showing  love  in  pracKcal,  tangible  ways.    We   believe  the  church  is  to  seek  the  public  good   and  promote  human  flourishing  in  every  sphere   of  human  society.      
57. “Follow  me  and  I  will  make  you  fishers  of   people”  (MaZhew  4:19)     1.  “Follow  me…”  is  the  call  to  discipleship  and   worship  where  we  bring  all  of  life  under  the   authority  of  the  one  true  God.  
58. 2.  “…I  will  make  you...”  is  the  invitaKon  to   transformaKon  into  Christlikeness  as  we   culKvate  environments  of  spiritual  growth   in  partnership  with  the  Holy  Spirit.     3.  “…fishers  of  people”  reflects  the  direcKve  of   Jesus  to  offer  our  lives  in  service  and   mission  for  the  sake  of  the  world.        
59. We  believe  we  must  conKnually  ask  what   acKviKes  and  pracKces  have  the  biggest   impact  or  most  facilitate  the  mission  of  the   church.  We  believe  we  must  be  strategically   focused  in  how  we  uKlize  the  church’s  Kme,   energy,  and  resources,  while  at  the  same  Kme   encouraging  people  to  find  their  own  unique  
60. mission  and  ministry.    We  believe  that  every   program  and  ministry  of  the  church  should   exist  in  harmony  with  and  in  support  of  the   overall  mission  of  the  church.  We  believe  in   focused,  simple,  and  flexible  ministry   structures  in  order  to  best  facilitate  mission   and  the  empowerment  of  people.    
61. Therefore,  in  the  ways  we  organize  and   structure  ministries  we’ll  value:       1.  Alignment  around  common  mission   2.  Risk/experimentaKon  that  leads  to   innovaKon     3.  CreaKng  adaptable,  flexible  and  simple   structures   4.  SimplificaKon  that  leads  to  greater  focus   and  empowerment  
62. Individual!
63. Individual!
64. Individual!
65. Individual!
66. He will make you" [cultivating environments of spiritual growth that lead to transformation]! Culture" Follow Jesus " [worship + discipleship]! Fishers of people" [in service and mission]! Individual!
67. Church!
68. Church!
69. Church!
70. Church!
71. Church!
72. Connect" [Care, Serve, Grow Groups (AF/M +W)]! Engage the World" [Blessed to bless]! Immerse" [who we are + what we do]! Go" [local + Global, NPO, Go Groups]! Gather weekly" [large and small]! Church!